Refrigerating apparatus support



Jan 2,, 1951 E. a... HQRLAQHER REFRIGERATI'NG APPARATUS SUPPORT Filed Dec. 4, 1948 2 skews-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. flMMLJibemcm-e. BY

Patented J... z, 1951 REFRIGERATING APPARATUS SUPPORT Elmer L. Horlacher, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Delaware Application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 63,596

6 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and particularly to means for supporting operating parts of such apparatus.

I am aware of the fact that operating parts, namely the motor and compressor, of a motorcompressor-condenser unit of a refrigerating system have previously been supported upon or suspended from a plurality of springs within a refrigerator cabinet so as to prevent the unit from transmitting noises caused by vibrations thereof to the cabinet in which the unit is installed. However, such a spring-supported or suspended unit had to be rigidly clamped to its support or suspension member during shipment of the refrigerator cabinet in order to prevent breakage of the parts of the unit mounting means when the cabinet was jarred or rocked. Most of these rigid clamping means were a waste of ma.- terial and therefore costly, since they were ordinarily removed and thrown away as soon as the refrigerator cabinet was installed in its proper location in a home. If such clamping means were merely loosened then they might rattle and move into the path of a part of the motor-compressor unit during free movement thereof upon its spring mounting. This being particularly true during starting and/or stopping of the motor and compressor.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved combined shipping and snubbing device for a motor-compressor unit springingly mounted within a refrigerator cabinet.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved device which limits movement of a spring-suspended motor-compressor uni relative to its mounting in a refrigerator abinet during shipment of the cabinet, and which permits free movement of the unit relative to its support when the cabinet is installed, and at all times cushions such free movement thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved adjustable clamping devices between a spring-suspended motor-compressor unit and its support so that its location with respect to the support may be readily changed when and if a part of the unit strikes a part of the clamping device.

In carrying out the foregoing objects it is a further and more specific object of my invention to provide clamping devices between a spring-suspended motor-compressor casing and its support which permits free cushioned movement of the casing a predetermined distance rela: tive to the support in any direction and which devices can be adjusted to at all times insure ll maintenance of such free cushioned movement thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator cabinet showing a closed refrigerating system-associated therewith, and showing the food storage compartment door of the cabinet in open position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top view of the motorcompressor unit of the refrigerating system suspended from a support in accordance with the present invention; v

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 showing one of the motor-compressor unit spring-suspensions in section;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 showing one of the clamping devices of the present invention interposed between the motor-compressor unit and its support;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the clamping device taken in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 showing the clamping device in a centered position; and

Fig. 7 is a view of the clamping device moved to an adjusted position relative to the position thereof shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, for illustrating the present invention, I have shown in Fig. 1 thereof a refrigerating apparatus including a cabinet l0 and a closed refrigerating system associated therewith. The cabinet 10 comprises inner and outer sheet metal walls I l and 12 respectively, having any suitable insulating material therebetween, forming a food storage chamber 14 therein. The outer metal walls l2 of the cabinet lll extend downwardly beyond the compartment or chamber I4 and form a machine-wompartment IS in the lowermost portion of .the cabinet which is normally closed by a door (not shown). Compartment I4 is provided with a plurality of food supporting shelves and a front access opening, normally closed by a door 16, as is conventional in the art. The closed refrigerating system associated with cabinet in includes an evaporator 20 mounted in theupper part of chamber 14 adapted to cool and cause circulation of air within the food storage chamber. The refrigerant translating or liquefying device of the closed refrigerating system comprises a motor-compressor unit enclosed within 2. casing l8 and a condenser l9 located within the machine compartment I5. Refrigerant vaporized in evaporator is withdrawn therefrom by the compressor through conduit 2|, is compressed and directed outwardly of casing l 8 through conduit 22 into the condenser l9, where it is cooled in any suitable or conventional manner. The cool liquefied refrigerant flows from condenser I9 to evaporator 28 through conduit 23 under the control of a suitable expansion valve or restrictor (not shown) The motor-compressor containing casing I8 is suspended by a plurality of springs from a substantially U-shaped mounting bracket 25 having its base portion 25a secured to cross members 28 provided in the bottom of compartment [5 by bolts 21. Bracket 25 has a flanged portion 25b at the end of each of its legs to which the condenser I9 is secured. The U-shaped support or bracket 25 has upright wall portions 250 serving to locate the motor-compressor casing or housing l8 above the bottom thereof. Casing [8 has a corrugated metal strip welded or secured thereto in any suitable manner and providing a plurality of fins 28 thereon for increasing dissipation of heat from the casing (see Fig. 2). The fins 28 have three small brackets 29, 39 and 3| welded or secured thereto in any suitable manner. Each bracket 29, 30 and 3| has a flat horizontal por- 1 tion 33 provided with an opening in which the small end of a rubber bushing 34 is fitted (see Fig. 3). A washer 35 is placed over the enlarged end portion of bushing 34 and a flat piece of metal 36 which extends through bushing 34 and washer 35, is provided with shoulders for engaging the washer 35. Metal piece 36 has grooves cut in its side edges near the top thereof and one end of a spring 38 is threaded into these grooves for locking the spring to the metal piece 38. The opposite end of spring 38 is likewise locked to a metal clip 39 secured to the top portion of the upright wall 250 of bracket 25 by a screw 4|. Thus the motor-compressor casing i8 is springsuspended from its support or bracket 25. While I have shown only one of the spring-suspension devices in detail it is to be understood that three of such devices as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings are employed to provide a three-point spring suspension for the casing I8.

Each of the horizontally opposed brackets 29 and 3| are slightly different design than the bracket 30 and the purpose of this will now be described. Each bracket 29 and 3| has a metal stud 43 riveted or welded thereto and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom (see Fig. 4). The outer end of studs 43 project beyond the supporting bracket 25 through a round opening 44 provided in opposed parts of the upright portions 250 of the bracket (see Figs. 5, 6 and 7).

Cushioning clamping devices are interposed between the studs 43 and the opposed wall portions 250 of support or bracket 25. Each clamping device comprises a washer 48 rigidly secured to the outer end of stud 43 by a bolt 41. A rubber or the like grommet or collar member 48, having a main tubular body portion 49, a shoulder 5| and a resilient short collar end portion 52, is carried in a flanged opening 53 provided in a plate 54. Plate 54 is provided with four round openings 56 (see Figs. 6 and 7) each having a washer 51 adjacent thereto and through which washers a bolt 58 projects and is threaded into suitably tapped holes in the support or bracket 25. This plate 54 of each clamping device is rigidly secured to the bracket 25 by the bolts 58. The flexible end collar portion 52 of grommet 48 normally extends in a straight line outwardly from the main body portion 49 thereof and is deformed into the shape shown in the drawings after assembly of the parts as described. It is to be understood that the amount of deformation of portions 52 of rubber-like members or grommets 48 is predetermined by the distance between washers 45 of the two clamping devices.

The clamping devices are of such a nature as to permit the motor-compressor containing casing I8 to move or float a predetermined distance upon the springs 38 in all directions relative to the supporting bracket 25 and to limit this floating movement so as to provide snubbing of abnormal movements thereof. For example, the unit or motor-compressor casing l8 may move horizontally within the limits of movement of the flexible collar portion 52 of rubber-like members or grommets 48, and vertically within the space between studs 43 and the wall of tubular portion 49 of grommets 48. Thus these move ments of the casing l8 upon springs 38 are at all times cushioned by the resilient portions 52 of clamping devices and in a manner preventing the transference of noises created in the casing or in its spring-suspensions to the supporting bracket and to the cabinet. The wall of portion 49 of grommet member 48 is relatively thick and serves to snub abnormal movements of casing l8 relative to its support 25. Such abnormal movements of casing I8 may occur as the result of sudden bumps or jars of the refrigerator cabinet during shipment thereof. For example, any abnormal movement of the casing l8 relative to its support or bracket 25 will cause the studs 43 to strike the thick main body portion 49 of rubber-like grommets 48 and this portion of the grommets thus eliminates a metal-to-metal contact while efiectively snubbing abnormal limits of movement of the casing l8.

It will be noted that the holes 55 in plate 54 are of much greater diameter than the diameter of bolts 58 and that the hole or opening 44 in bracket 25 is also of greater diameter than the inwardly flanged opening 53 of plate 54. The purpose of this construction will now be described in detail. In spring suspensions of the type herein disclosed it frequently happens that one or the other of springs 38 will lose its tension after prolonged usage. Should the tension of either one of the three springs 38 become weakened or lost relative to the other springs an unbalanced condition of movement of casing I8 beyond the desired cushioned movements thereof will occur. Such an unbalanced condition destroys the predetermined distance of clearance about the sides of studs 43 and these studs will strike the wall portions 49 of the rubber members or grommets 48 particularly during starting and stopping of the motor and compressor contained in the When the studs 43 strike the portion casing. 49 of members or grommets 48 a bumping noise is created and the user may object to such noise. The purpose of the diiference in diameters of holes 58 relative to bolts 58 and opening 44 in bracket 25 relative to the flanged opening 53 in plate 54 is to permit a serviceman to adjust the clamping devices so as to overcome striking of studs 43 against walls 49 of the rubber-like members or grommets 48 and to eliminate the bumping noise. Upon occurrence of the unbalanced condition of springs 38, as described, a serviceman may loosen the bolts 58 and shift plate 84 of the clamping devices relative to the casing support or bracket 25. For example, in Figs. and 6 of the drawings I show the clamping device centered with respect to opening 44 in bracket 25 and in Fig. '7 I show the clamping device adjusted or offset relative to the opening 44 and holes 56 relative to the bolts 58. In this manner the predetermined clearance, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, between wall portions 49 of members or grommets 48 and studs 43, is maintained to insure the desired amount of free cushioned movement of casing l8 upon its spring suspension. While I have shown plate 54 in Fig. 7 of the drawings moved into its extreme lower adjusted position, it is to be understood that plate 64 can, by virtue of the enlarged bolt holes 56, be adjusted in any direction relative to the hole 44 in support 25 for maintaining the predetermined clearance between studs 43 and wall portion 49 of members or grommets 48 uniform.

In view of the foregoing it should be apparent that I have provided an improved mounting for a motor-compressor casing wherein adjustable snubbing and cushioning devices eliminate the necessity of rigidly fastening such casing to its support during shipment thereof within a refrigerator cabinet. My improved mounting construction insures quiet operation of the motorcompressor unit and provides means whereby such operation can be maintained even after a certain spring of the three-point spring-suspension becomes weak or unbalanced relative to other springs thereof. In my improved mounting construction free movement of the motor-compressor casing or unit, upon its spring-suspension is at all times cushioned and any abnormal movements thereof snubbed.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination, a motor-compressor unit of a refrigerating system, a spring suspension for resiliently carrying said unit from a support therefor, clamping devices located on opposite sides of said unit and disposed between said support and said unit, each of said clamping devices including a rubber-like member so constructed and arranged to at all times permit free movement of said unit on its carrying springs a predetermined distance in any direction relative to said support and for snubbingly limiting movement thereof beyond said predetermined distance, the rubber-like member of said devices having a flexible portion continuously engaging said unit and cushioning the free movements thereof within said predetermined distance, and means for mounting said devices upon said support.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting means for the clamping devices are adjustable relative to the support.

3. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerating system associated with said cabinet and having a refrigerant translating unit including a motor and a compressor sealed within a casing, a spring suspension for resiliently carry= ing said casing from a support mounted on a portion of said cabinet, clamping devices located on opposite sides of said casing and disposed between said support and said casing, each of said clamping devices including a rubber-like member so constructed and arranged to at all times permit free movement of said casing on its carrying springs in any direction relative to said support and for snubbingly limiting movement thereof beyond said predetermined distance, the rubber-like member of said devices having a flexible portion continuously engaging said casing for cushioning said free movements thereof within said predetermined distance, and means for adjustably mounting said devices upon said support to permit shifting of said devices for maintaining said predetermined distance of free cushioning movement of said casing.

4. In combination, a motor-compressor unit of a refrigerating system, spring means for resiliently suspending said unit at three substantially equal spaced apart points therearound from a support therefor, said support including upright portions on opposite sides of said unit, the opposed upright portions of said support each having an opening therein, said unit having a part extending from opposite sides thereof and projecting into said opening in the opposed portions of said support, a clamping device associated with each opening in the opposed upright portions of said support, said devices including a rubberlike member so constructed and arranged to at all times permit free movement of said unit on its spring suspending means a predetermined distance in any direction relative to said support and for snubbingly limiting movement thereof beyond said predetermined distance, the rubberlike member of said devices each having a flexible portion continuously engaging said-projecting part of said unit and cushioning the free movements thereof within said predetermined distance, and means for mounting said devices upon said support for adjustment relative to said openings therein.

5. In combination, a refrigerating system ineluding a refrigerant translating unit having a motor and a compressor sealed within a casing, spring means for resiliently carrying said casing from a support therefor, said support including f upright portions on opposite sides of said casing, the opposed upright portions of said support each having an opening therein, said casing having a part projecting from opposite sides thereof and extending into the opening in said opposed upright portions of said support, a clamping device between each projecting part of said casing and the opening in each opposed upright portion of said support, each clamping device comprising a rubber member having a resilient portion and a flexible portion, said portions of said rubber members being so constructed and arranged to at all times permit free movement of said casing, upon its spring carrying means a predetermined distance in any direction relative to said support and for cushioning said free movement thereof, said rubber members also being constructed and arranged to snubbingly 'limit movement of said casing beyond said predetermined distance, means for mounting said devices on said support, and said mounting means being adjustable relative to said support to permit shifting of said rubber members relative to the openings in said support for maintaining said predetermined distance of free movement of said casing.

6. In combination, a motor-compressor unit of a refrigerating system, a three-point spring suspension resiliently carrying' said unit from a support therefor, clamping devices located on opposite sides of said unit and disposed-between said support and said unit, each of said clamping devices being so constructed and arranged to at 7 8 all times permit free movement of said unit on REFERENCES CITED its carrying springs a predetermined distance in any direction relative to said support and for 3 ig zgzg fi are of record m the snubbing'ly' limiting movement thereof beyond said predetermined distance, said devices having 5 UNITED STATES PA'IENTS a flexible portion continuously engaging said unit Number Name Date and cushioning the free movements thereof with- 2,093,496 DeGrlft t 31, 1937 in said predetermined distance, means for moun 2,174,233 Body Sept. 26, 1939 ing said devices upon said support, and means 2,215,991 Anderson Sept. 24, 1940 for adjusting said mounting means in all direcin 2,233,102 Kucher Feb. 25, 1941- tions relative to the support. v v

" I ELMER L. HORLACHER. 

